North Cascades Highway reopens once again

MAZAMA — State Highway 20 reopened at noon, Sept. 12, once again allowing travel across the North Cascades.

State Department of Transportation crews had to repair pavement and guardrails, as well as draining and clearing ditches along the road. Drivers can expect some occasional short delays the next several days while crews continue working on drainage and the slopes on both sides of the highway, the department said.

During the six-day closure, a crew of 18 workers operated 11 trucks and other heavy machinery during every hour of daylight to clear the mudslides.

The highway had been closed since 2 a.m. Sept. 6 when heavy rainfall caused mudslides to block the road.

It was the second time this summer, rainfall has shut down North Cascades Highway.

Eight mudslides fell after an Aug. 10 storm and stranded about 65 people at the Cascades Pass Trailhead, as well as two vehicles on the highway itself. The highway was closed until Aug. 19 as Department of Transportation crews and private contractors cleared the mud and debris.